Electronic Camera

ABSTRACT

An electronic camera comprises a wireless communication unit that performs wireless communication with a computer or a printer, and a power save mode changeover unit that changes over a power save mode to either an ON or an OFF state according to the operational state of the electronic camera, if the power save mode is changed over to ON by the power save mode changeover unit, the wireless communication unit stops its operation when radio waves are not being transmitted, and if the power save mode is changed over to OFF, the wireless communication unit operates in a standby state when radio waves are not being transmitted.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to an electronic camera that transferscaptured image data to a computer or to a printer to which theelectronic camera is connected via a wireless network.

BACKGROUND ART

A digital camera that is connected to a computer via a wireless LAN, andthat transfers captured images to the computer by using the so-calledFTP (File Transfer Protocol) is known (see Patent Document #1).

Patent Document #1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No.2005-20452.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION Problem to be Solved by the Invention

With the digital camera disclosed in Patent Document #1, transmissionand reception of radio waves is performed for transferring the capturedimages to the computer to which the digital camera is connected via thewireless LAN. Accordingly there is a requirement to keep the electricalpower consumption down, since without any measures being taken theamount of electrical power consumption becomes greater than in the caseof a normal digital camera.

Means for Solving the Problem

An electronic camera according to a first aspect of the presentinvention transfers captured image data to a computer or a printer towhich the electronic camera is connected via a wireless network, whereinthe electronic camera executes various types of operation in order tokeep down electrical power consumption.

An electronic camera according to a second aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect,comprises a wireless communication unit that performs wirelesscommunication with the computer or the printer and a power save modechangeover unit that changes over a power save mode to either an ON oran OFF state according to the operational state of the electroniccamera. It is preferable that the wireless communication unit of theelectronic camera according to this aspect, if the power save mode ischanged over to ON by the power save mode changeover unit, stops itsoperation when radio waves are not being transmitted, and if the powersave mode is changed over to OFF, operates in a standby state when radiowaves are not being transmitted.

An electronic camera according to a third aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the second aspect,further comprises an image display unit that displays various types ofimage including a menu screen image for selection of a transfer methodfor captured image data. It is desirable that the power save modechangeover unit of the electronic camera according to this aspectchanges over the power save mode to ON when the menu screen image isbeing displayed by the image display unit.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the electroniccamera according to the second or third aspect, it is preferable thatthe power save mode changeover unit changes over the power save mode toOFF when captured image data is transferred.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the electroniccamera according to the fourth aspect, it is more desirable that thepower save mode changeover unit changes over the power save mode to ONwhen transfer of captured image data has terminated.

An electronic camera according to a sixth aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect,comprises an image display unit that displays various types of imageincluding a captured image, a wireless communication unit that performswireless communication with the computer or the printer, an electricalpower supply control unit that permits or prohibits supply of electricalpower from a battery that supplies electrical power to the image displayunit and the wireless communication unit, to the wireless communicationunit, an actuation unit for receiving actuation input of an user, afirst sleep control unit that, if actuation input by the user upon theactuation unit is not performed for at least a predetermined time periodwhen supply of electrical power from the battery to the wirelesscommunication unit is prohibited by the electrical power supply controlunit, transits to a first sleep mode in which operation of the wirelesscommunication unit and the image display unit being stopped, and asecond sleep control unit that, if actuation input by the user upon theactuation unit is not performed for at least a predetermined time periodwhen supply of electrical power from the battery to the wirelesscommunication unit is permitted by the electrical power supply controlunit, transits to a second sleep mode in which operation of the imagedisplay unit being stopped while continuing the operation of thewireless communication unit.

An electronic camera according to a seventh aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the sixth aspect,further comprises an auto power OFF control unit that turns the powersupply to the electronic camera entirely OFF and stops operation thereofif actuation input by the user upon the actuation unit is not performedfor at least a predetermined time period after transition to the firstsleep mode.

An electronic camera according to an eighth aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the sixth aspect,further comprises a sleep transition control unit that transits to thesecond sleep mode during transfer of captured image data, and, afterthis transfer of captured image data has terminated, transits from thesecond sleep mode to the first sleep mode if actuation input by the userupon the actuation unit is not performed for at least a predeterminedtime period.

An electronic camera according to a ninth aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the seventh aspect,further comprises a sleep transition control unit that transits to thesecond sleep mode during transfer of captured image data, and, afterthis transfer of captured image data has terminated, transits from thesecond sleep mode to the first sleep mode if actuation input by the userupon the actuation unit is not performed for at least a predeterminedtime period.

According to a tenth aspect of the present invention, in the electroniccamera according to the ninth aspect, in case that the power supply tothe electronic camera is turned OFF by the auto power OFF unit aftertransition has taken place from the second sleep mode to the first sleepmode by the sleep transition unit, when the power supply to theelectronic camera is turned ON, it is preferably displayed upon theimage display unit that the transfer of captured image data terminated.

An electronic camera according to an eleventh aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect,comprises a wireless communication unit that performs wirelesscommunication with the computer or the printer, a battery voltagedetection unit that detects output voltage of a battery that supplieselectrical power to various units of the electronic camera including thewireless communication unit, as a battery voltage, a battery remainingcapacity determination unit that determines battery remaining capacitybased upon the battery voltage detected by the battery voltage detectionunit, and a notification unit that, if determination is made by thebattery remaining capacity determination unit that battery remainingcapacity is insufficient, notifies an user to that effect. It ispreferable that the battery remaining capacity determination unit of theelectronic camera according to this aspect, if the wirelesscommunication unit is not operating, determines that battery remainingcapacity has become insufficient when the battery voltage drops below apredetermined first threshold value that is determined in advance, andif the wireless communication unit is operating, determines that batteryremaining capacity has become insufficient when the battery voltagedrops below a predetermined second threshold value that is determined inadvance, the second threshold value being lower than the first thresholdvalue.

An electronic camera according to a twelfth aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the first aspect,comprises a wireless communication unit that performs wirelesscommunication with the computer or the printer, an actuation unit thatchanges over an operational mode of the electronic camera according toactuation input by an user, a display unit that displays a listingscreen for inviting the user to select a destination for connection ofthe electronic camera, and an electrical power supply control unit thatpermits or prohibits supply of electrical power to the wirelesscommunication unit. It is preferable that the operational modes that arechanged over by the actuation unit of the electronic camera according tothis aspect include a wireless LAN mode for connecting the electroniccamera to the computer or to the printer via the wireless network. And,it is desirable that the display unit of the electronic camera accordingto this aspect displays the listing screen when the operational mode ofthe electronic camera is changed over to the wireless LAN mode by theactuation unit. Moreover, it is preferable that the electrical powersupply control unit of the electronic camera according to this aspectprohibits electrical power supply to the wireless communication unituntil the listing screen has been displayed upon the display unit and adestination for connection of the electronic camera has been selected bythe user upon the listing screen, and permits electrical power supply tothe wireless communication unit when a destination for connection of theelectronic camera has been selected by the user upon the listing screen.

An electronic camera according to a thirteenth aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the twelfth aspect,further comprises a replay request unit that receives actuation inputfrom the user in order to display a captured image upon the displayunit. When the operational mode of the electronic camera is changed overto the wireless LAN mode by the actuation unit of the electronic cameraaccording to this aspect, it is preferable that actuation input by theuser upon the replay request unit is not accepted.

An electronic camera according to a fourteenth aspect of the presentinvention, in the electronic camera according to the twelfth orthirteenth aspect, further comprises a drive mechanism for driving aphotographic lens. When the operational mode of the electronic camera ischanged over to the wireless LAN mode by the actuation unit of theelectronic camera according to this aspect, it is desirable that thedriving of the photographic lens by the drive mechanism is prohibited.

It should be understood that, the wireless communication unit, the powersave mode changeover unit, the image display unit, the electrical powersupply control unit, the actuation unit, the first sleep control unit,the second sleep control unit, the auto power OFF control unit, thesleep transition control unit, the battery voltage detection unit, thebattery remaining capacity determination unit, the notification unit,the display unit, the replay request unit and the drive mechanismdescribed above may be replaced by a wireless communication means, apower save mode changeover means, an image display means, an electricalpower supply control means, an actuation means, a first sleep controlmeans, a second sleep control means, an auto power OFF control means, asleep transition control means, a battery voltage detection means, abattery remaining capacity determination means, a notification means, adisplay means, a replay request means and a drive means, respectively.

ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECT OF THE INVENTION

According to the present invention, with an electronic camera thatperforms wireless communication between the electronic camera and acomputer or a printer via a wireless network, it is possible to keep theelectrical power consumption down.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an electronic still camera (an electroniccamera) that is equipped with a wireless LAN connection function,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a figure showing a processing sequence when registering aprofile;

FIG. 3 is a figure showing the details of a profile of a PC;

FIG. 4 is a figure showing network information for printer connection;

FIG. 5 is a figure showing the details of a profile of a printer;

FIG. 6 is a figure showing the flow of operations when connecting anelectronic camera to some device with a wireless LAN;

FIG. 7 is a table in which the details of parameters used for a commandfile “ADVTRANS.MRK” have been collected together;

FIG. 8 is a figure showing examples of command files that have beenconstructed;

FIG. 9 is a figure showing a processing sequence when “update transfer”has been selected as the transfer method for image data;

FIG. 10 is a figure showing a processing sequence when, with a settingnot to record transferred image files upon a memory card, “photographictransfer” has been selected as the transfer method for image data;

FIG. 11 is a figure a processing sequence when, with a setting to recordtransferred image files upon the memory card, “photographic transfer”has been selected as the transfer method for image data;

FIG. 12 is a figure showing a situation in which the threshold value forbattery checking is changed during the wireless LAN mode;

FIG. 13 is a menu transition figure from changeover to the wireless LANmode, until some transfer method for image data is selected upon awireless LAN menu screen;

FIG. 14 is a menu transition figure when “update transfer” has beenselected;

FIG. 15 is a menu transition figure when “transfer by day ofphotography” has been selected;

FIG. 16 is a menu transition figure when “marked image transfer” hasbeen selected;

FIG. 17 is a menu transition figure when “selected image transfer” hasbeen selected;

FIG. 18 is a menu transition figure when “photographic transfer” hasbeen selected;

FIGS. 19.1 and 19.2 are figures showing examples of screenscorresponding to the menu transition figure of FIG. 13;

FIG. 20 is a figure showing an example of screens corresponding to themenu transition figure of FIG. 14;

FIG. 21 is a figure showing an example of screens corresponding to themenu transition figure of FIG. 15;

FIG. 22 is a figure showing an example of screens corresponding to themenu transition figure of FIG. 16;

FIG. 23 is a figure showing an example of screens corresponding to themenu transition figure of FIG. 17; and

FIGS. 24.1 and 24.2 are figures showing an example of screenscorresponding to the menu transition figure of FIG. 18.

EXPLANATION OF THE REFERENCE SYMBOLS

-   1: electronic camera-   4: battery-   5: battery voltage detection unit-   16: actuation unit-   17: control unit-   18: memory-   21: liquid crystal display-   24: wireless LAN module unit-   30: memory card-   31: access point-   32, 33: PCs-   34, 42: printers-   41: printer dongle

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION 1. Structure

FIG. 1 shows a block diagram of an electronic still camera (hereinaftertermed an electronic camera) equipped with a wireless LAN connectionfunction, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theelectronic camera 1 is connected via an access point 31 to a PC(personal computer) 32 or PC 33 via a wireless LAN. The connection modeof the wireless LAN at this time is the so-called infrastructure mode.The PCs 32 and 33 acquire image data captured by the electronic camera1, and store therein the image data and/or perform various types ofimage processing and the like thereupon. A printer 34 is connected tothe PC 33, and it is possible to print image corresponding to image datathat has been acquired by the PC 33 upon the printer 34.

Furthermore, the electronic camera 1 can be connected to a printer 42via a printer dongle 41 by wireless LAN. The printer dongle 41 is aprint server for wireless LAN that is used by fitting it to a USB(Universal Serial Bus) port or the like of the printer 42. Image datathat has been received from the electronic camera 1 by the printerdongle 41 is outputted to the printer 42. By doing this, printing of theimage by the printer 42 is performed without using any PC. Theconnection mode of the wireless LAN at this time is the so called ad hocmode.

The electronic camera 1 includes a battery 4, a battery voltagedetection unit 5, a variable optical system 3, an optical component 7,an image sensor 8, an analog signal processing unit 12, an A/Dconversion unit 13, a timing control unit 14, an image processing unit15, an actuation unit 16, a control unit 17, a memory 18, acompression/expansion unit 19, a display image generation unit 20, aliquid crystal display 21, a memory card interface unit 22, an externalinterface unit 23, and a wireless LAN module unit 24.

The battery 4 supplies the electrical power to the various units of theelectronic camera 1 that is required for their operation. The electricalpower supply from the battery 4 to these various units is permitted orprohibited according to the operational state of the electronic camera1. Control of the electrical power supply is performed by the controlunit 17. The output voltage of the battery 4 (the battery voltage) isdetected by the battery voltage detection unit 5. The result of thisdetection of the battery voltage is outputted from the battery voltagedetection unit 5 to the control unit 17.

The variable optical system 3 includes a photographic lens that is madeup of a plurality of optical lens groups, an iris, a shutter, and soon.The optical component 7 includes an optical filter, a cover glass andthe like. An image of the photographic subject is imaged upon the imagesensor 8 by a ray bundle from the photographic subject passing throughthe variable optical system 3 and the optical component 7.

The image sensor 8 captures an image of the photographic subject that isimaged by the variable optical system 3, and outputs an image signal (animage capture signal) corresponding to the image of the photographicsubject that has been captured. The image sensor 8 includes an imagecapture region which is rectangular and in which a plurality of pictureelements are arranged, and outputs to the analog signal processing unit12 an analog image signal corresponding to the electric chargesaccumulated upon the picture elements, sequentially in picture elementunits. The image sensor 8 may be constituted by, for example, a singlechip type color CCD or the like. The analog signal processing unit 12includes in its interior a CDS (Correlated Double Sampling) circuit andan AGC (auto gain control) circuit and the like, and performspredetermined analog processing upon the image signal that has beeninputted. The A/D conversion unit 13 converts the analog signal that hasbeen processed by the analog signal processing unit 12 into a digitalsignal. And the timing control unit 14 is controlled by the control unit17, and controls the timings of the various operations of the imagesensor 8, the analog signal processing unit 12, the A/D conversion unit13, and the image processing unit 15.

The memory card interface unit 22 provides an interface with a memorycard (a card type removable memory) 30 that has been loaded into theinterior of the electronic camera 1. The external interface unit 23provides an interface with an external device via a cable, according toa signal standard like USB or the like. The wireless LAN module unit 24performs processing upon data such as format conversion and encoding,demodulation, frequency conversion, and so on, and transmits andreceives wireless LAN radio waves to and from the access point 31 or theprinter dongle 41.

The actuation unit 16 includes various types of actuation button andswitches or the like. These include a release button, a selection dial(a mode dial) for changing over the camera mode, a button (a replaybutton) for displaying a replay image upon the liquid crystal display21, a button (an actuation button) for shifting a selection positionupon an operation screen that is being displayed upon the liquid crystaldisplay 21, and the like. The liquid crystal display 21 displays varioustypes of operation screen corresponding to the operation state of theelectronic camera 1, and displays a replay image based upon an image ofthe photographic subject that has been captured by the image sensor 8 orimage data that is stored upon the memory card. The output of theactuation unit 16 is inputted to the control unit 17, and the output ofthe display image generation unit 20 is inputted to the liquid crystaldisplay 21. The image processing unit 15 may be constituted by, forexample, a dedicated single chip image processing microprocessor. Aflash memory is used for the memory 18, and software for controlling theelectronic camera 1 or data such as a profile that will be describedhereinafter or the like is recorded therein.

The A/D conversion unit 13, the image processing unit 15, the controlunit 17, the memory 18, the compression/expansion unit 19, the displayimage generation unit 20, the memory card interface unit 22, theexternal interface unit 23, and the wireless LAN module unit 24 aremutually connected together via the bus 25.

With the electronic camera 1 having a structure such as shown in FIG. 1,when a user selects photographic mode and presses the release button byactuation of the actuation unit 16, the control unit 17 controls thevariable optical system 3 to perform focus adjustment and also performstiming control via the timing control unit 14 of the image sensor 8, theanalog signal processing unit 12, and the A/D conversion unit 13,thereby captures an image of the photographic subject. It should beunderstood that it would also be acceptable to make it possible toselect one of a plurality of photographic modes according to the type ofthe photographic subject or the like so as to vary the timing controlaccording to the selected photographic mode.

The image sensor 8 generates an image signal corresponding to an imageof the photographic subject that has been imaged upon its image captureregion by the variable optical system 3. The image signal is subjectedto predetermined analog signal processing by the analog signalprocessing unit 12, and is outputted to the A/D conversion unit 13 as animage signal having undergone analog processing. The image signal havingundergone analog processing is digitalized by the A/D conversion unit13, and the digitized image signal is supplied to the image processingunit 15 as image data.

In an example of the electronic camera 1 of this embodiment, the mostrepresentative single chip type color image sensor in which R (red), G(green) and B (blue) color filters are arranged in a Bayer array is usedas the image sensor 8. And the image data that is supplied to the imageprocessing unit 15 is expressed in the RGB color system. Individualpicture elements that make up the image data have color information forjust one of the color components R, G, and B is present. Here, a singleone of the photoelectric conversion elements that make up the imagesensor 8 is termed a picture element, and moreover the single unit ofimage data that corresponds to the picture element is also termed apicture element. Furthermore, it is noted that the image itself consistsof a plurality of picture elements.

The image processing unit 15 performs image processing such asinterpolation, tone conversion, contour accentuation, and the like uponthe image data. The image data upon which the image processing has beencompleted is subjected, according to requirements, to predeterminedcompression processing by the compression/expansion unit 19, and is thenrecorded upon the memory card 30 via the memory card interface unit 22.It should be understood that it is supposed that interpolationprocessing has been completed upon the image data upon which imageprocessing has been completed, so that color information for all of thecolor components R, G, and B for each of the picture elements ispresent.

Image data recorded upon the memory card 30 is wirelessly transmitted tothe access point 31 or the printer dongle 41 via the wireless LAN moduleunit 24. The wireless transmission is performed in conformity with atypical signal standard for wireless LAN, for example the IEEE 802.11bor IEEE 802.11g standard or the like. Furthermore, it would also beacceptable to arrange for this transmission to be compatible with WiFi(Wireless Fidelity) authentication, that is an international standardfor ensuring compatibility between various types of wireless LAN device.The access point 31 relays the image data that has been transmitted fromthe wireless LAN module unit 24 of the electronic camera 1, andtransfers it to the PC 32 or the PC 33. And the printer dongle 41outputs the image data that has been transmitted from the wireless LANmodule unit 24 to the printer 42.

As has been explained above, by connecting together the electroniccamera 1 and the PC 32, the PC 33, or the printer 42 via a wireless LAN,captured image data may be transmitted to the PC 32, to the PC 33, or tothe printer 42 from the electronic camera 1. It should be understoodthat the transmission of the image data from the electronic camera 1 isperformed according to the so called PTPIP (Picture Transfer Protocolover Internet Protocol), that is a well known communication protocol. Asthe printer 42, one is used that is compatible with the PictBridgestandard.

2. Setting Up the Wireless LAN

Next, the method for setting up the wireless LAN will be explained. Inorder to transmit image data by connecting between the electronic camera1 and the PC 32, the PC 33, or the printer 42 via wireless LAN in themanner explained in the above description, it is necessary to registerthe required information for connection to the wireless LAN in advancein the electronic camera 1. It is necessary to perform the registrationof the connection information for each device to which the electroniccamera 1 is connected (the PCs 32 and 33 and the printers 34 and 42),and the method of registration is different when the device to beconnected is a PC and when it is a printer. In the following, first themethod of registration of the connection information for the PC 32 willbe explained, and thereafter the method of registration of theconnection information for a the printer 42 will be explained.

Registration of the connection information for the PC 32 is performed inthe state in which the electronic camera 1 and the PC 32 are connectedtogether with a cable. It should be understood that the electroniccamera 1 is connected to a cable via the external interface unit 23.With the electronic camera 1 is connected to the PC 32 with the cable,the mode dial of the actuation unit 16 is actuated to set a position“SETUP” upon the electronic camera 1, and a software program forwireless LAN setting that has been installed in advance is executed uponthe PC 32. By doing this, information of various types including networkinformation related to setting up a wireless LAN is transmitted from thePC 32 to the electronic camera connected with the cable.

Due to processing by the control unit 17, the electronic camera 1receives the various information as described above that has beentransmitted from the PC 32 and thereby acquires it, and generates dataso called “profile” including information for connection to the PC 32via a wireless LAN based upon the acquired information. And, by writingthe profile that has been generated into the memory 18 and therebystoring it, the profile is registered upon the electronic camera 1. Byregistering the profile in this manner, the information for connectionto the PC 32 is registered in the electronic camera 1. Based upon thecontents of the profile, connection processing when connecting theelectronic camera 1 to the PC 32 via a wireless LAN is performed by thewireless LAN module unit 24.

The processing sequence when registering the profile of the PC 32 uponthe electronic camera 1 is shown in FIG. 2. This processing sequence isperformed according to the so called PTP (Picture Transfer Protocol).Initially, with an InfoTransferReq command (1), the PC 32 requests theelectronic camera 1 that is connected to transmit information related tothe camera (i.e. camera information). Upon receipt thereof, with anInformation command (2), the electronic camera 1 transmits to the PC 32as its own camera information, that is, data consisting of a GUID(Global Unique ID) and a Friendly Name. When transmission of the camerainformation has been completed, the PC 32 is informed of the fact thattransmission has been ended with a Response command (3). And the camerainformation for the electronic camera 1 that has been received by the PC32 is registered in the PC 32 to be used for a decision as to whether ornot to permit connection to the electronic camera 1 as will be explainedhereinafter.

The above described GUID is created based upon the MAC (Media AccessControl) address that is set in advance in the wireless LAN module unit24. For example, a sixteen byte GUID may be created by repeating the sixbyte MAC address three times, and by truncating the last two bytes. TheMAC address is unique to each individual camera, and is never duplicatedby any other camera. Accordingly, the GUID is also set uniquely. Thecontents of the Friendly Name is set in advance for the electroniccamera 1 according to its device type.

When with the Response command (3) the notification of the end oftransmission is received by the PC 32 from the electronic camera 1, itrequests the electronic camera 1 to receive data transmitted from the PC32 with an InfoReceiveReq command (4). And thereafter the networkinformation for the wireless LAN that is recorded in the PC 32 istransmitted to the electronic camera 1 with an Information command (5).At this time, along with the network information, device informationrelated to the PC 32 and management information for the profile and thelike are also transmitted together. The concrete details of thesevarious types of information will be explained hereinafter with thedetails of the profile.

When the electronic camera 1 has received these various types ofinformation including the network information from the PC 32 with theInformation command (5), then it generates the profile of the PC 32based upon the contents thereof. The generated profile is written intothe memory 18. When the profile of the PC 32 has been written into thememory 18, the result of registration of the connection information isnotified from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 32 with a Responsecommand (6). At this time, if the profile is generated correctly, then anotification is issued that the result of registration is OK. But if noprofile is generated, for example if an encryption format of AES(Advanced Encryption Standard) or the like that is not supported by thiselectronic camera 1 is shown in the network information from the PC 32,then a notification is issued that the result of registration is NG. Theuser is notified by displaying the result of registration upon thescreen of the PC 32. By the processing sequence explained above, theprofile of the PC 32 is registered upon the electronic camera 1.

The details of the profile that is generated for the PC 32 are shown inthe table of FIG. 3. In this table, there are shown the item name ofeach data item included in the profile, its data size, the contents ofthe data, and its initial value. It should be understood that the column“setting” shows whether the value of each data item is set by the PC 32or by the electronic camera 1. A data item for which “PC” is in thiscolumn is one that is set by the PC 32 and that is transmitted to theelectronic camera 1. And a data item for which “camera” is in thiscolumn is one that is set by the electronic camera 1. In the following,each of these data items will be explained.

“Version” specifies the version of the profile, and is set by themanagement information of the profile that is transmitted from the PC32. If the software program for the wireless LAN setting of the PC 32has been upgraded or the like, then the value of this “version” changes.“Number of profiles” specifies the total number of profiles that can beregistered in the electronic camera 1. Here it is supposed that profilescan be registered up to a total of nine types, and this value is fixedat nine.

“Profile number” specifies the number that has been allocated to theprofile, and is here taken as being any value from 1 through 9. When theprofile is being registered in the electronic camera 1, this “profilenumber” is automatically allocated according to the order of itsregistration. In the electronic camera 1, by changing the value of“profile number” for each profile, it is possible to register profilesup to a total of nine types. In other words, it is possible to registerthe connection information for, at maximum, up to nine PCs and/orprinters in the electronic camera 1.

“Profile valid/invalid” specifies whether or not the profile is valid:if the value of “Profile valid/invalid” is 0 then that shows that theprofile is invalid, while if it is 1 then the profile is valid. Aprofile that is set as invalid cannot be used and connection to thedevice that this profile shows cannot be established. A newly registeredprofile is set as valid, and is set to invalid when the profile isdeleted. In other words, when once deleted, a profile is still stored inthe electronic camera 1. It should be understood that, when actuation isperformed to clear the setting information in the electronic camera 1,all of the profiles are deleted and set to be ineffective. In order toeliminate a profile completely from the electronic camera 1, it isnecessary to perform actuation for returning the information in thecamera to its value upon shipment from the factory.

The “profile name”, “icon number”, and “date and time of profilegeneration” explained below are all set according to the profilemanagement information that is transmitted from the PC 32. “Profilename” specifies a title for identifying the profile. The user is able toset any desired profile title for the PC 32. When the profile isregistered in the electronic camera 1, the profile title that has beenset is transmitted with the network information from the PC 32 to theelectronic camera 32 as profile management information, as previouslydescribed. By doing this, the details of the profile name, in otherwords its text value, is determined.

“Icon number” specifies the type of icon that has been set for theprofile, and can take any value from 1 through 9. The user is able toselect any desired one of various types of icon for the PC 32, forexample whether it is a PC or a printer, or whether it is for householduse or office use, or the like. And “date and time of profilegeneration” specifies the date and the time that the profile wascreated; the date and the time that were measured by the PC 32 are set.

It should be understood that, when a device to which connection is to beestablished is to be selected on the electronic camera 1, the titles ofthe various profiles as specified by the above described “profile name”and an icon for each profile as specified by “icon number” are displayedupon the liquid crystal display 21 as a profile listing screen. The useris able to select the device to which connection is to be made from thetitles and icons of the various profiles that are displayed.

The “date and time profile last accessed” and “order to display inprofile list” explained below are both set by the electronic camera 1.“Date and time profile last accessed” specifies the last date and timethat the profile has been selected by the electronic camera 1. The valueof “date and time profile last accessed” is automatically updated whensome profile is selected by the electronic camera 1 and connection to awireless LAN is performed based upon the wireless LAN settinginformation specified by that profile.

“Order to display in profile list” specifies the order of display whendisplaying the title and the icon for each profile upon the profilelisting screen. The smaller the value of “order to display in profilelist” is, the higher is the order of display. The value is set to 1 fora profile that has been selected by the user as the destination forconnection of the electronic camera 1 or for a profile that has beennewly registered, and the values of the other profiles are moved downaccordingly. By doing this, when the profile listing screen is nextdisplayed, the profile that was selected the last time or the profilethat was registered is displayed at the head of the listing.

“Connected device” specifies whether the setting information forwireless LAN connection that is recorded in the profile is for a PC orfor a printer. If the value of “connected device” is 0 then thisspecifies that this profile is for a PC, while if the value is 1 thenthis specifies that this profile is for a printer. In other words, inthe profile of the PC 32, the value is set to 0. “Connected device” isdetermined by the profile management information that is transmittedfrom the PC 32.

The items from “IP address” to “encryption key number” explained beloware set according to the network information that is transferred fromthe PC 32. “IP address” specifies the IP address that is allocated tothe electronic camera 1 (i.e. to the wireless LAN module unit 24) in theprofile, and “bit length of subnet mask” specifies the bit length of thesubnet mask for the IP address. It should be understood that, if DHCP(Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) or AutoIP is valid in “TCP/IPsettings” that will be explained later, then initial values of 0 are setfor the values of the above items. And, if Gateway that will beexplained later is valid in “TCP/IP settings”, then “gateway IP address”specifies the IP address of this gateway.

“TCP/IP settings” specifies the acquisition method for an IP address inthe profile, and shows, for each of DHCP, AutoIP, and Gateway, whetherit is valid or invalid. If DHCP is valid, then the IP address of theelectronic camera 1 is automatically allocated by the access point 31 orthe PC 32. If AutoIP is valid, then the IP address of the electroniccamera 1 is automatically allocated by the electronic camera 1 itself.And, if Gateway is valid, then a fixed IP address that is set to the IPaddress described above is used.

“Access method” specifies whether the method of wireless LAN connectionin the profile is the infrastructure mode or the ad hoc mode. In theprofile of the PC 32, a 0 of the value specifies the infrastructure modeis set to “access method”. “Channel” specifies the wireless LANtransmission channel. And “SSID” specifies the SSID (Service SetIdentifier) of the wireless LAN that is related to the PC 32. Thesedetails are determined according to the wireless LAN setting conditionsof the PC 32.

“Authentication method”, “encryption mode”, “encryption key”, and“encryption key number” explained below specify information related tosecurity settings when connecting the electronic camera 1 and the PC 32together via a wireless LAN. These details are determined according tothe wireless LAN setting conditions of the PC 32. “Authenticationmethod” specifies one of the authentication methods “open system”,“shared key”, and WPA-PSK (Wi-Fi Protected Access Pre-Shared Key).“Encryption mode” specifies one of the encryption methods “none”, WEP(Wired Equivalent Privacy) 64, WEP 128, or TKIP (Temporal Key IntegrityProtocol). And “encryption key” and “encryption key number” specify thedetails of the encryption key to be used for the wireless LAN and itsencryption key number. Authentication and encoding of transmitted datawhen wireless LAN connecting is performed according to these details.

The “GUID of PC” and “PC name” explained below are determined accordingto the device information that is transmitted from the PC 32. “GUID ofPC” specifies the GUID of the PC 32. The contents thereof is generatedby the PC 32 based upon the MAC (Media Access Control) address of the PC32, in a similar manner to that for the GUID of the electronic camera 1,as described above. And “PC name” specifies the Friendly Name of the PC32, and is set in advance by the PC 32 in a similar manner to theFriendly Name of the electronic camera 1, as described above.

By the profile that consists of the various data items as explainedabove being generated and registered by the electronic camera 1, theconnection information for the PC 32 is registered in the electroniccamera 1. In a similar manner for the PC 33 as well, the PC 33 isconnected to the electronic camera 1 by a cable, and, by registering theprofile that is generated, the connection information for the PC 33 isregistered.

Next, the method for registering the connection information for theprinter 42 will be explained. The registration of the connectioninformation of the printer 42 is performed, not by cable connection aswhen performing it with the PC 32, but by wirelessly connecting theelectronic camera 1 and the printer dongle 41 together. The wirelessconnection is performed by wireless LAN connection using the networkinformation shown in the table of FIG. 4. The network information ofFIG. 4 is stored in advance in the wireless LAN module unit 24 asdedicated network information for printer connection.

In the network information of FIG. 4, the value of “TCP/IP settings” is2. In other words, AutoIP is set to valid, so that the IP address of theelectronic camera 1 is automatically allocated by the electronic camera1 itself. Since the value of “access method” is set to 1, the wirelessLAN module unit 24 and the printer dongle 41 are connected together inthe ad hoc mode. Although the value of “channel” is 10, the characters“Dongle” are set in “SSID”. Since the values of “authentication method”and “encryption mode” are both set to 0, accordingly the wireless LANmodule unit 24 and the printer dongle 41 are connected together withauthentication of the wireless LAN not being performed, and moreoverwith the data not being encrypted.

When the wireless LAN module unit 24 and the printer dongle 41 areconnected together by wireless LAN based upon the network informationdescribed above, the message “Please press button of dongle” isdisplayed upon the liquid crystal display 21. When in response to themessage the user presses a switch that is installed upon the printerdongle 41, the GUID and the Friendly Name of the printer dongle 41 aretransmitted from the printer dongle 41 to the electronic camera 1 asdevice information related to the printer 42. At this time networkinformation and profile management information are not transmitteddifferently from the case of the PC 32. The electronic camera 1generates a profile for the printer 42 based upon the device informationand the network information of the printer connection previouslydescribed, and writes it into the memory 18, thus storing it. In thismanner, the connection information for the printer 42 is registered inthe electronic camera 1.

The details of the profile that is generated for the printer 42 areshown in FIG. 5. The various data items in the profile are compatiblewith the profile of the PC 32 shown in FIG. 3. However, since networkinformation and profile management information are not transmitted fromthe printer dongle 41, accordingly, depending upon the data items inquestion, some of their setting methods are different from those in theprofile for the printer 32 explained with reference to FIG. 3. In thefollowing, explanation of the portions that are the same as FIG. 3 willbe omitted, and only the points of difference will be explained.

“Version”, “profile name”, “icon number”, “date and time of profilegeneration” and “connected device” are different from those of theprofile of the PC 32 of FIG. 3, and their details are set by theelectronic camera 1. The value of “version” is determined according tothe firmware version of the electronic camera 1. The title “Printer N”determined in advance is set in “profile name”. In this “N”, one of thevalues from 1 to 9 is set automatically, in the order of generation ofthe profile. In “icon number”, a value that specifies the value of theprinter icon is set automatically. In “date and time of profilegeneration”, the date and time of generation, that are obtainedaccording to the clock information held by the electronic camera 1 areset as the date and time of generation of this profile. And 1 is set in“connected device”, that is the value that specifies a printer.

Among the items from “IP address” to “encryption key number” thatspecify the network information, for those from “TCP/IP settings” to“encryption mode”, the details are set by the electronic camera 1 in thesame way as in FIG. 4. For the other items, the initial value for eachof them is set by the electronic camera 1. In “GUID of printer” and“printer name”, the values that are transmitted from the printer dongle41 are set.

By the profile that is constituted by the various data items asexplained above being generated and registered by the electronic camera1, the connection information of the printer 42 is registered in theelectronic camera 1.

It should be understood that, with the printer 34 that is connected tothe PC 33, it is possible to generate a profile in a similar manner tothe PC 33 by connecting the electronic camera 1 and the PC 33 togethervia a cable. In this profile, the items related to the networkinformation (from “IP address” to “encryption key number”) are set withthe same values as for the PC 33, and details are set for the otheritems corresponding to the printer 34. When a wireless LAN connection isset up by using the profile of the printer 34, a communication circuitis established virtually between the electronic camera 1 and the printer34 by the electronic camera 1 and the PC 33 being connected together.

By connecting together the electronic camera 1 and any one of the PCs(here, this will be explained as being the PC 32) by cable connection,the details of the profile explained above is displayed upon the PC 32.And the profile can be corrected according to requirements. At thistime, the PC 32 is able to display not only its own profile but also thedetails of all of the profiles that are registered upon the electroniccamera 1. The display of profile details is performed by transmittingthe profile data from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 32.

However, in the display of profile details as described above, it is notthe case that it is possible to display all of the data items in aprofile. For data items that it is not appropriate to display exceptupon the PC that is registered in that profile, by not transmitting themfrom the electronic camera 1, it is arranged not to display them uponthe PC 32. For example, it is arranged not to transmit data itemsrelated to network security settings, such as authentication method,encryption mode, encryption key, encryption key number and the like,from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 32. By this procedure, it ispossible for the user to perform checking and editing of the details ofthe profiles in a simple manner, while ensuring the necessary security.

3. Connecting to the Wireless LAN

Next, the operation will be explained of wireless LAN connecting theelectronic camera 1 to any one of the PC 32, the PC 33, or the printer42, based upon the wireless LAN connection information that has beenregistered as explained in the above description. The flow of operationsat this time is shown in FIG. 6.

First, when the user actuates a mode dial that is one section of theactuation unit 16 on the electronic camera 1 to set the mode dial to aposition “wireless LAN”, the operational mode of the electronic camera 1is changed over to the wireless LAN mode. As a result, a profile listingscreen in order for the user to select a destination for connection isdisplayed upon the liquid crystal display 21. On the profile listingscreen, a list is displayed of the profile titles and icons for thevarious profiles that are registered. It should be understood that, aspreviously described, the display order of the various profiles isdetermined according to the values that are set in the data items “orderto display in profile list” in the profiles.

When a profile corresponding to any one of the PC 32, the PC 33, or theprinter 42 has been selected by the user upon the profile listingscreen, then connection processing to the selected device is started,based upon the wireless LAN connection information that is recorded inthe profile. At this time, the operation of the electronic camera 1 isvaried depending on a connected device being a PC or a printer. In thefollowing, the details of the operation when a wireless LAN connectionwith the first PC 32 is to be established will be explained, andthereafter the details of the operation when a wireless LAN connectionwith the printer 42 is to be established will be explained.

When the profile of the PC 32 is selected by the user, then the supplyof electrical power from the battery 4 to the wireless LAN module unit 4is permitted by the control unit 17, and transmission and reception ofradio waves between the wireless LAN module unit 24 and the access point31 is performed. Until this time point, the supply of electrical powerto the wireless LAN module unit 24 is prohibited by the control unit 17.And, due to the wireless communication that is performed between thewireless LAN module unit 24 and the access point 31 based upon thewireless LAN connection information that is recorded in the profile thathas been selected, network processing such as wireless LANauthentication and IP address acquisition and the like is executed, andthe electronic camera 1 is connected to the wireless LAN to which the PC32 belongs. It should be understood that, at this time point, theelectronic camera 1 is only connected to the wireless LAN, and itsconnection with the PC 32 is not yet performed.

When the electronic camera 1 has been connected to the wireless LAN asdescribed above, function selection of the electronic camera 1 isperformed. In concrete terms, a wireless LAN menu screen is displayedupon the liquid crystal display 21, in order for the user to select anyone from among various kinds of image data transfer method that will beexplained hereinafter. When anyone of these transfer methods is selectedby the user, processing is started in order to connect the electroniccamera 1 and the PC 32 together via the wireless LAN by wirelesscommunication performed between the wireless LAN module unit 24 and theaccess point 31, based upon the wireless LAN setting information in theprofile that has already been selected.

In the processing for connecting together the electronic camera 1 andthe PC 32 via the wireless LAN, first the camera information of theelectronic camera 1 is transmitted to the PC 32. The PC 32 decideswhether or not to permit connection with the electronic camera 1,according as to whether or not the information for the camera isregistered in advance. If the camera information that has beentransmitted is indeed registered in advance, then connection ispermitted and a communication circuit with the electronic camera 1 isestablished. When a communication circuit via the wireless LAN betweenthe electronic camera 1 and the PC 32 has been established in thismanner, thereafter the image data that is recorded in the electroniccamera 1 is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 32according to the transfer method that was selected upon the wireless LANmenu screen.

On the other hand, if the profile of the printer 42 is selected by theuser, then processing is started in order to connect the electroniccamera 1 and the printer 42 together via the wireless LAN by wirelesscommunication performed between the wireless LAN module unit 24 and theprinter 42, based upon the wireless LAN connection information in theprofile. At this time, the processing for connecting the electroniccamera 1 to the wireless LAN and the processing for connection to theprinter 42 are performed in sequence, and no intermediate display of anywireless LAN menu screen is performed. When a communication circuit viathe wireless LAN between the electronic camera 1 and the printer 42 hasbeen established, thereafter printing of the image data is performed byoutputting the image data that is recorded in the electronic camera 1 tothe printer 42 from the electronic camera 1.

As has been explained above, the electronic camera 1 may be connected tothe PC 32 or to the printer 42 via wireless LAN connection. Wireless LANconnection between the electronic camera 1 and the PC 33 may also beperformed by a method similar to that for the PC 32.

It should be understood that, if the profile of the printer 34 that isconnected to the PC 33 has been selected, then wireless LAN connectionprocessing is performed, and a communication circuit is establishedbetween the electronic camera 1 and the PC 33, by a similar sequence tothat in the case of the printer 42, described above. When thecommunication circuit has been established via the wireless LAN betweenthe electronic camera 1 and the PC 33, then thereafter printing of theimage data that is recorded upon the electronic camera 1 is performed bythe image data being outputted to the printer 34 via the PC 33. By doingthis, even if the printer 34 is not one that complies with thePictBridge standard, it is still possible to perform printing from theside of the electronic camera 1 by similar actuation to the case of aprinter that does comply with the PictBridge standard.

4. Transferring Image Data

Next, the method will be explained by which the image data istransferred after the electronic camera 1 and the PC 32 have beenconnected together via the wireless LAN. On the wireless LAN menu screendescribed above, as the method for transferring the image data, it ispossible to select any one of “update transfer”, “transfer by day ofphotography”, “marked image transfer”, “selected image transfer”, and“photographic transfer”.

In “update transfer”, each of the image files of image data recordedupon the electronic camera 1 is compared with the various image files ofimage data that are recorded upon the PC 32, and only those image filesthat are not recorded upon the PC 32 are transferred. By doing this,only image files that have not yet been transferred to the PC 32 aretransferred. It should be understood that in “update transfer”, since alist of the image files that are recorded upon the electronic camera 1is transferred to the PC 32 before transferring of the image files, PC32 can determine the difference between the image files upon theelectronic camera 1 and the image files upon the PC 32. The PC 32requests electronic camera 1 to transmit the determined difference ofthe image files.

In “transfer by day of photography”, from among the various image filesof image data that are recorded upon the electronic camera 1, only thoseimage files that were created upon a day of photography selected by theuser are transferred to the PC 32. At this time, irrespective of whetheror not the image files upon the day of photography that has beenselected are already recorded upon the PC 32, the corresponding imagefiles are all transferred. In case that “transfer by day of photography”has been selected, when the electronic camera 1 and the PC 32 areconnected together via the wireless LAN, a selection screen for the dayof photography is displayed upon the liquid crystal display 21, and theimage files for the day of photography that has been selected upon thisscreen are transferred.

In “marked image transfer”, from among the various image files of imagedata that are recorded upon the electronic camera 1, only those imagefiles for which a transfer mark is set in advance are transferred to thePC 32. At this time, irrespective of whether or not the image files forwhich the transfer mark is set are already recorded upon the PC 32, allof the corresponding image files are transferred. It should beunderstood that it is possible for the user to set this transfer mark asdesired, before connecting together the electronic camera 1 and the PC32 via the wireless LAN.

In “selected image transfer”, from among the various image files ofimage data that are recorded upon the electronic camera 1, the imagefiles to be transferred are selected by the user, and only those imagefiles are transferred to the PC 32. At this time, irrespective ofwhether or not the image files that have been selected are alreadyrecorded upon the PC 32, the corresponding image files are alltransferred. If “selected image transfer” has been selected, then, whenthe electronic camera 1 and the PC 32 are connected together via thewireless LAN, a selection screen for the images that have beenphotographed is displayed upon the liquid crystal display 21, and theimage files that have been selected upon this screen are transferred.

In “photographic transfer”, an image file that has been photographed bythe electronic camera 1 is transferred to the PC 32 directly after ithas been photographed. In this photographic transmission, whenphotography is performed, the image that has been photographed isdisplayed upon the liquid crystal display 21, and a query is made as towhether or not it should be transmitted. If the user responds to thequery that it should be transmitted, then the image file that has beenphotographed is transmitted to the PC 32. It should be understood thatit is possible to set in advance whether or not the image file that hasbeen transferred should be recorded upon the memory card 30.

When transferring image data according to any one of the transfermethods described above, a command file with the title “ADVTRANS.MRK” iscreated upon the electronic camera 1, and is transmitted to the PC 32.In the command file, information that is required for transferring theimage data to the PC 32 according to the transfer method that has beenselected is recorded using various types of parameter that have been setin advance. It should be understood that this command file is created byusing the portion of standard vendor extended region provided in thestandard called DPOF (Digital Print Order Format).

FIG. 7 is a table showing the details of the parameters that are usedfor the above described command file “ADVTRANS.MRK”. In this table, thetitle of each parameter that is used, its meaning, and the values thatthis parameter can take are shown.

FIG. 8 is a figure showing examples of command files that have beencreated using the parameters of FIG. 7. (1) shows an example of acommand file when no list of image files is created by the electroniccamera 1. When “update transfer” or the like is selected as the transfermethod for the image data, a command file having this kind of contentsis created. (2) shows an example of a command file when a list of imagefiles is created by the electronic camera 1. When “marked imagetransfer” or “selected image transfer” or the like is selected as thetransfer method for the image data, a command file having this kind ofcontents is created. In this command file (2), the number ofcorresponding image files and their path name(s) are displayed in a listin order using the parameters “IMG QTY” and “IMAGE SRC”.

FIG. 9 shows the processing sequence when “update transfer” has beenselected as the transfer method for the image data, as an example of aprocessing sequence when transferring image data from the electroniccamera 1 to the PC 32. After the command file “ADVTRANS.MRK” has beencreated according to the transfer method for the image data that hasbeen selected, the electronic camera 1 notifies the PC 32 with anAdvancedTransferEvent command (1) that this command file has beencreated. Upon receiving this notification, the PC 32 requests thecommand file from the electronic camera 1 with a GetObject command (2).In response to this request, the electronic camera 1 transmits thecommand file “ADVTRANS.MRK” that has been created to the PC 32, as in(3). In this manner, the command file is acquired by the PC 32.

The PC 32 creates the list of image files to be transferred based uponthe command file that it has acquired. When this list of image files tobe transferred has been created, the number of these image files istransmitted to the electronic camera 1 with anAdvancedTransferCtrlOpereation command (4). At this time, a display of“transferring”, the number of image files to be transferred, the numberof image files that have been transferred, and the transfer rate aredisplayed upon the liquid crystal display 21 of the electronic camera 1.The transfer rate is calculated each second as the average value of thetransfer rate for the ten seconds directly before.

Thereafter, with a GetObject command (5), the PC 32 requests theelectronic camera 1 for the first image file. In response to thisrequest, the electronic camera 1 returns a response and thecorresponding image file to the PC 32 with a Data & Response command(6). Next, with a GetObject command (7), the PC 32 requests theelectronic camera 1 for the next image file. In response to thisrequest, the electronic camera 1 returns a response and thecorresponding image file to the PC 32 with a Data & Response command(8). By repeating this, the designated image files are transferred inorder from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 32. It should be understoodthat, during this time, the displayed detail of the number of imagefiles that have been transferred is incremented upon the liquid crystaldisplay 21 of the electronic camera 1 according to the number of imagefiles for which the transfer to the PC 32 has been completed.

When the transfer of all of the image files has ended, a notification towhich effect is issued from the PC 32 to the electronic camera 1 with anAdvancedTransferCtrlOperation command (9). In response to this, theelectronic camera 1 deletes the command file “ADVTRANS.MRK” that it hadcreated, and displays the message “transfer completed” upon the screenof the liquid crystal display 21. It should be understood that it wouldalso be possible, upon actuation by the user, for the transfer to becancelled partway through, provided that this is done before the“transfer completed” message is displayed. With the processing sequenceas explained above, the image data is transferred from the electroniccamera 1 to the PC 32.

FIG. 10 shows the processing sequence when “photographic transfer” hasbeen selected as the transfer method for the image data, in the state inwhich it is set not to record the transferred image files upon thememory card 30. In this case, when photography is performed with theelectronic camera 1, a notification is issued from the electronic camera1 to the PC 32 with an ObjectAddedInSDRAM Event command (1). Uponreceipt of this notification, the PC 32 requests the electronic camera 1to transmit information related to the image file that has beenphotographed with a GetObjectInfoOperation with particular ObjectHandlecommand (2). And, in response to this request, the electronic camera 1transmits to the PC 32 information related to the image file that hasbeen photographed with an ObjectInfo Dataset/Response command (3).

When the information for the image file that has been photographed isreceived, the PC 32 requests the electronic camera 1 for this image filewith a GetObject Operation with particular DataHandle command (4). And,in response to this request, the electronic camera 1 returns the imagefile that has been photographed to the PC 32 with an ObjectData/Response command (5). This image file is not recorded upon thememory card 30. By a processing sequence like that explained above, theimage data is transferred from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 32.

FIG. 11 shows the processing sequence when “photographic transfer” hasbeen selected as the transfer method for the image data, and it is setto record the transferred image files upon the memory card 30. In thiscase, when photography is performed with the electronic camera 1, anotification is issued from the electronic camera 1 to the PC 32 with anObjectAdded Event command (1). Upon receipt of this notification, the PC32 requests the electronic camera 1 to transmit information related tothe image file that has been photographed with a GetObjectInfoOperationcommand (2). In response to this request, the electronic camera 1transmits to the PC 32 information related to the image file that hasbeen photographed with an ObjectInfo Dataset/Response command (3), in asimilar manner to the case in FIG. 10.

When the information for the image file that has been photographed isreceived, the PC 32 requests the electronic camera 1 for this image filewith a GetObject Operation command (4). In response to this request, theelectronic camera 1 returns the image file that has been photographed tothe PC 32 with an Object Data/Response command (5), in a similar mannerto the case in FIG. 10. This image file is recorded upon the memory card30 after having been transferred to the PC 32. By a processing sequencelike that explained above, the image data is transferred from theelectronic camera 1 to the PC 32.

As has been explained above, the image data is transferred from theelectronic camera 1 to the PC 32 that is connected thereto by a wirelessLAN. It should be understood that the transfer of the image data fromthe electronic camera 1 to the PC 33 is also performed by a similarmethod to that in the case of the PC 32.

With “update transfer” or “marked image transfer”, when the transfer ofall of the corresponding image files to the PC 32 has been completed,supply of electrical power from the battery 4 to the wireless LAN moduleunit 24 is prohibited by the control unit 17, and the electronic camera1 returns to the profile selection screen. Due to this, it is possibleto prevent useless battery consumption. With “transfer by day ofphotography” and “selected image transfer”, when transfer to the PC 32of all of the image files that were selected by the user has beencompleted, the electronic camera 1 returns to the day of photographyselection screen or to the image selection screen. When on thisselection screen a different day of photography or a different image(s)is selected, then transfer of the corresponding image file(s) isstarted. With “photographic transfer”, when transfer of the image filethat has been photographed is completed, the electronic camera 1 returnsto the photography screen. And, with “transfer by day of photography” or“selected image transfer” or “photographic transfer”, even when thetransfer of the image file(s) is completed, supply of electrical powerfrom the battery 4 to the wireless LAN module unit 24 is continued untilcancellation actuation is performed by the user.

It should be understood that, if due to a problem upon the wirelesstransmission path the wireless LAN communication is cut off partwaythrough, then the message “transfer error” is displayed upon the liquidcrystal display 21 of the electronic camera 1, and the transfer of theimage data is interrupted. In this case, the user is invited to selectwhether or not to continue with the transfer. If continuation isselected, then error recovery is started by performing reconnection tothe wireless LAN and transfer resumption processing, and the transfer ofthe image data that was interrupted is resumed.

Furthermore, if the voltage of the battery 4 has decreased to less thanor equal to a predetermined value during the transfer of image data, themessage “no power remaining in the battery/transfer interrupted” isdisplayed upon the liquid crystal display 21 of the electronic camera 1and the transfer of the image data is interrupted. After a predeterminedtime period from the interruption of the transfer, the power supply ofthe electronic camera 1 is turned OFF. In this case when, after havingensured the required operating electrical power by changing the battery4 or by connecting an AC adapter, the power supply to the electroniccamera 1 is turned ON and the mode dial is set to the position “wirelessLAN”, then the user is invited to select whether or not to continue theinterrupted transfer of the image data. If continuation is selected,then error recovery is started by performing reconnection to thewireless LAN and transfer resumption processing in a manner similar tothat described above, and the transfer of the image data that wasinterrupted is resumed.

If the transfer of the image data is interrupted as described above,then, as transfer interruption information, the number of the profilethat was selected at that time and the number of image files for whichtransfer had been completed up to when the interruption occurred arerecorded in the memory 18 of the electronic camera 1. The error recoveryis executed by reconnection to the wireless LAN and transfer resumptionof the image data being performed based upon this transfer interruptioninformation. It should be understood that the transfer interruptioninformation is cleared when setting of the profile is performed, or whenremoval or insertion of the memory card 30 is performed.

When the mode dial of the electronic camera 1 is set to the “wirelessLAN” position, a decision is made as to whether or not the command file“ADVTRANS.MRK” exists in the electronic camera 1. When all of thecorresponding image files are transferred, then as previously describedthe command file “ADVTRANS.MRK” is deleted. Accordingly, if the commandfile “ADVTRANS.MRK” exists, then it can be decided that the transfer ofthe image data has been interrupted. Due to this, it is possible todetect the occurrence of an interruption due to the voltage of thebattery 4 having decreased and the power supply of the electronic camera1 having gone to OFF, when next the power supply of the electroniccamera 1 is turned ON.

5. The Wireless LAN Sleep Modes

Next, the operation of wireless LAN sleep modes that are executed by theelectronic camera 1 will be explained. If no actuation input has beenperformed by the user for a predetermined time period or greater, forexample three minutes, then, under the control of the control unit 17,the electronic camera 1 transits to a sleep mode in which a portion ofits operation is stopped to suppress useless battery consumption. Twotypes of sleep mode exist. One type is termed the normal sleep mode towhich transition takes place when supply of electrical power from thebattery 4 to the wireless LAN module unit 24 is to be prohibited. In thenormal sleep mode, the operational state at this time point is storedand the operation is continued of a unit for performing detection ofactuation input, for example the control unit 17 or the like, while thesupply of electrical power is stopped to the other units, for example tothe liquid crystal display 21, the image sensor 8, the image processingunit 15 and the like, so that their operation is stopped. In the normalsleep mode, supply of electrical power to the wireless LAN module unit24 is not performed.

During the normal sleep mode, if no actuation input is performed by theuser for a further predetermined time period, for example three minutes,then an auto power OFF function operates, and the supply of power to theelectronic camera 1 is automatically turned OFF. This auto power OFFfunction is implemented by the control unit 17. If during the normalsleep mode actuation from the user is detected, then the supply ofelectrical power to the various sections whose operation was stopped isresumed, and the system returns to its operational state beforesleeping.

Another sleep mode is a so called wireless LAN sleep mode that isestablished when supply of electrical power to the wireless LAN moduleunit 24 is to be permitted. In this wireless LAN sleep mode, the supplyof electrical power to the wireless LAN module unit 24 continues to beperformed, while, in a similar manner to the case for the normal sleepmode, the supply of electrical power to, for example, the liquid crystaldisplay 21 and the like is stopped, so that operation thereof isstopped. Thus, the supply of electrical power to the wireless LAN moduleunit 24 is performed in this wireless LAN sleep mode.

As has been explained above, in case that the supply of electrical powerfrom the battery 4 to the wireless LAN module unit 24 is to beprohibited, the normal sleep mode is established so as to stop theoperation of certain sections including the wireless LAN module unit 24.Conversely, in case that the supply of electrical power from the battery4 to the wireless LAN module unit 24 is to be permitted, the wirelessLAN sleep mode is established so as to stop the operation of certainsections excluding the wireless LAN module unit 24. In other words, evenif transition takes place to one of the sleep modes, the state of supplyof electrical power from the battery 4 to the wireless LAN module unit24 is maintained, while stopping the operation of certain sections ofthe electronic camera 1. By doing this, it is possible to suppressuseless battery consumption by stopping the supply of electrical powerto sections that are not required, even when the captured image data isbeing transmitted by the wireless LAN module unit 24.

It should be understood that, during the wireless LAN sleep mode, theauto power OFF function is prohibited in order not to turn the supply ofpower to the electronic camera 1 OFF automatically, even if thepredetermined time period elapses in the state in which actuation inputby the user is not performed. Due to this, automatic turning OFF of thepower supply to the electronic camera 1 by the operation of the autopower OFF function during transfer of image data is prevented, andundesirable interruption of the transfer of image data thereby isprevented.

When the transfer of the image data under the wireless LAN sleep mode iscompleted, supply of electrical power to the wireless LAN module unit 24is stopped as previously described. If from this time point, noactuation input by the user is performed over a fixed time period, thenthe electronic camera 1 transits from the wireless LAN sleep mode to thenormal sleep mode. Thereafter, no actuation input from the user isperformed for a predetermined time period, the auto power OFF functionoperates as previously described and supply of electrical power to theelectronic camera 1 is automatically turned OFF. If input from any oneof the switches is detected during the wireless LAN sleep mode, then, ina similar manner to the case in the normal sleep mode, the supply ofpower to the various sections is resumed, and the system returns to itsoperation state before sleeping.

Now, when the transfer of image data under the wireless LAN sleep modefinishes and the supply of power to the electronic camera 1 is turnedOFF automatically after transition to the normal sleep mode, then it isnot possible for the user to confirm that the transfer of the image datahas been completed, since there is no opportunity for any “transfercompleted” message to be displayed upon the screen of the liquid crystaldisplay 21 as previously described. Accordingly, when the power supplyto the electronic camera 1 is next turned ON, a message indicating thatthe image transfer during the wireless LAN sleep mode was completed isdisplayed upon the screen of the liquid crystal display 21, so that theuser is notified of completion of image transfer. It should beunderstood that it would also be acceptable to arrange not to providethis type of display directly after the power supply to the electroniccamera 1 is turned ON, but to provide it when the wireless LAN mode isselected.

The concrete method for displaying a message like the one describedabove will now be explained. When the transfer of the image data by theelectronic camera 1 is completed, flag information consisting of a socalled transmission end indicator flag is set internally. Thistransmission end indicator flag is stored even when the supply of powerto the electronic camera 1 is turned OFF. And, when next the operationalmode of the electronic camera 1 is changed over to the wireless LANmode, if the transmission end indicator flag is set, the message“transfer was completed” is displayed upon the screen of the liquidcrystal display 21 for a predetermined time period, for example for twoseconds. When this message is displayed, or when a “transfer completed”message is displayed without transition to the wireless LAN sleep mode,the transmission end indicator flag having been set is cancelled. Bydoing this, even if the electronic camera 1 transits from the wirelessLAN sleep mode to the normal sleep mode and then the supply of power tothe electronic camera 1 is turned OFF automatically, it is stillpossible for the user to confirm that the transfer of the image data wascompleted when the wireless LAN mode is established again.

It should be understood that whether the state of supply of electricalpower from the battery 4 to the wireless LAN module unit 24 ispermitted, or is prohibited, is decided according to the operationalstate of the electronic camera 1, in other words according to which menuitem is selected in the wireless LAN mode. As explained earlier, thesupply of electrical power to the wireless LAN module unit 24 ispermitted during the time period from when a transfer method for theimage data (in the case of connection to a PC) or a profile (in the caseof connection to a printer) has been selected by the user, until thetransfer of the designated image data is completed or is interrupted.Accordingly, the wireless LAN sleep mode is established during the timeperiod, while the normal sleep mode is established for another timeperiod. With regard to the concrete change over timing between thewireless LAN sleep mode and the normal sleep mode, this is shown in themenu transition figures of FIGS. 13 through 18 for the wireless LAN modethat will be explained hereinafter.

6. The Power Save Mode

Next, the change over of the electronic camera 1 to the power save modewill be explained. When the supply of electrical power to the wirelessLAN module unit 24 is permitted, the so called power save mode functionin the electronic camera 1 is automatically turned ON or OFF. It ispossible to reduce the battery consumption while the power save mode isturned ON. The ON/OFF changeover of this power save mode is performedunder the control of the control unit 17. As explained below, theoperation of the wireless LAN module unit 24 is varied depending on thepower save mode being ON or OFF.

While the electronic camera 1 is connected via a wireless LAN to the PC32 or 33 or to the printer 42, transmission and reception of radio wavesis performed between the wireless LAN module unit 24 and the accesspoint 31 or the printer dongle 41 at a timing according to the timing ofinput and output of communication data. This transmission and receptiontiming of the radio waves is not fixed. Accordingly, in order to ensurethat it is possible for the radio waves that are transmitted from theaccess point 31 or from the printer dongle 41 to be received by thewireless LAN module unit 24 at any time, it is necessary for thewireless LAN module unit 24 to be operated in the standby state whenradio wave transmission is not being performed. This kind of operationis performed when the power save mode is OFF.

On the other hand, when the power save mode is changed over to ON,communication data to the wireless LAN module unit 24 is temporarilystored in the access point 31 or in the printer dongle 41. And querying(polling) of the access point 31 or the printer dongle 41 for thepresence or absence of communication data is performed from the wirelessLAN module unit 24 repeatedly at a predetermined cycle that isdetermined in advance. If communication data is stored, the storedcommunication data is received, while if no such data is stored, thenthe system waits for the next time for polling. Apart from this polling,the wireless LAN module unit 24 is not operated in the standby state.Through the above process, in case that the power save mode is ON, it ispossible to keep down the battery consumption by stopping the operationof the wireless LAN module unit 24 when transmission of radio waves isnot being performed.

However, the wireless LAN communication is performed at a certainpolling interval and not performed at any other timing when the powersave mode is turned ON. Therefore the throughput of communication isreduced, as compared to the case when the power save mode is OFF.Accordingly, when high throughput is required, for example, whentransferring captured image data, the electronic camera 1 changes overthe power save mode to OFF. If this is not the case, for example whenthe wireless LAN menu screen is being displayed upon the liquid crystaldisplay 21, or when the transfer of the image files that have beenselected by the user has finished in the mode of “transfer by day ofphotography” or “selected image transfer”, or the like, the electroniccamera 1 changes over the power save mode to ON to suppress uselessconsumption of the battery. This type of changing over of the power savemode between ON and OFF is performed according to the operational stateof the electronic camera 1, in other words according to which menu itemfor the wireless LAN mode is selected. The concrete details of theON/OFF timing for the power save mode are shown in the menu transitionfigures FIG. 13 through FIG. 18 for the wireless LAN mode that will beexplained hereinafter.

It should be understood that it is also possible to use various types ofmethod in order to keep down the battery consumption of the electroniccamera 1, other than the power save mode as explained above. Forexample, although normally extension of the photographic lens isperformed when the power supply to the electronic camera 1 is turned ON,it may be arranged not to perform extension of the photographic lens,when the power supply is turned ON with the mode dial being set to thewireless LAN position. Furthermore, when the power supply to theelectronic camera 1 is ON with the mode dial being set to the wirelessLAN position, further driving of the photographic lens may be prevented.By doing this, it is possible to prevent useless battery consumptionentailed by unnecessary driving of the photographic lens during thewireless LAN mode. It should be understood that, if the method“photographic transfer” described above is selected as the transfermethod for the image data during the wireless LAN mode, the photographiclens is driven and the electronic camera 1 is put into the state ofbeing capable of photography.

As yet another method, when operating in the wireless LAN mode, it maybe arranged not to receive any actuation input due to the replay buttonof the actuation unit 16, so that display of any replay image isprohibited. By doing this, it is possible to prevent unnecessarytransmission and reception of radio waves by the wireless LAN moduleunit 24 from being performed during display of a replay image, so thatit is possible to prevent the battery from being uselessly consumedthereby.

7. Battery Checking

Next, the method of battery checking with the electronic camera 1 willbe explained. The electronic camera 1 is endowed with a battery checkfunction in which the remaining capacity of the battery 4 is checked.This battery check function is performed by detecting the output voltageof the battery 4 (i.e. the battery voltage) with the battery voltagedetection unit 5. If the battery voltage is less than or equal to apredetermined threshold value, then it is decided that the batteryremaining capacity has become insufficient, and a warning is issued tothe user for notifying him to that effect, by displaying upon the liquidcrystal display 21 a mark (a half mark) that shows that the batteryremaining capacity has decreased. At this time, according torequirements, some portion of the operation of the electronic camera 1may be prohibited.

Furthermore, if the electronic camera 1 is operating in the wireless LANmode, then the battery check is performed by a different method, fromwhen it is operating in some other operational mode (the photographicmode, the replay mode, or the like). The method will now be explainedbelow in concrete terms.

If the electronic camera 1 is operating in the wireless LAN mode, whendata is wirelessly transmitted from the wireless LAN module unit 24, thebattery voltage temporarily decreases during transmission, due to theload imposed by this wireless transmission. The width of the voltagedecrease at this time is large as compared with when other operationsare performed by the electronic camera 1. Due to this, even if actuallythere is still some leeway in the battery remaining capacity, sometimesthe half mark undesirably mistakenly comes to be displayed, due to thebattery voltage, that has decreased during wireless transmission,temporarily dropping below the threshold value for battery checking.Thus, in order to prevent this type of erroneous display of the halfmark, a lower threshold value is set for performing battery checkingwhen the wireless LAN mode is operating, than during the otheroperational modes.

A situation in which the threshold value for battery checking is changedduring the wireless LAN mode is shown in FIG. 12. The upper graph showsthe timing of wireless transmission from the wireless LAN module unit24, and the lower graph shows the change of battery voltage. It shouldbe understood that, in the upper wireless transmission timing, the caseis shown in which the power save mode as described above is set to ON,so that polling transmission is performed from the wireless LAN moduleunit 24 upon a cycle of period T. As will be understood from thisfigure, during wireless transmission from the wireless LAN module unit24, the battery voltage decreases from V1 to V2. It should be understoodthat these voltages V1 and V2 are supposed to mean the battery voltagesthat are detected when the battery 4 is in the fully charged state.

In FIG. 12, the threshold value Vth1 shows the threshold value forbattery checking in operational modes other than the wireless LAN mode.This threshold value Vth1 is set to a predetermined proportion of thepreviously described voltage value V1, for example to a value of 70%thereof. In operational modes other than the wireless LAN mode, the halfmark is displayed when the detected value of the battery voltage dropsbelow the threshold value Vth1.

And the threshold value Vth2 shows the threshold value for batterychecking in the wireless LAN mode. The value of the threshold value Vth2is set so that the ratio between the threshold value Vth2 and thevoltage value V2 becomes the same as the proportion between thethreshold value Vth1 and the voltage value V1. In other words, if asdescribed above the threshold value Vth1 is set to 70% of V1, then thethreshold value Vth2 is set to 70% of V2. In the wireless LAN mode, thehalf mark is displayed when the detected value of the battery voltagedrops below the threshold value Vth2. By using this threshold value Vth2for battery checking in the wireless LAN mode, it is possible to changethe threshold value for battery checking so that it is smaller thanduring operational modes other than the wireless LAN mode. By doingthis, it is possible to prevent erroneous display of the half markduring the wireless LAN mode.

It should be understood that, if during the wireless LAN mode thebattery voltage drops below the threshold value Vth2 and the half markis displayed, then further transfer of image data is prohibited. Bydoing this, exhaustion of the remaining capacity of the battery part waythrough transfer of the image data is prevented. If the battery voltagedrops below the threshold value Vth2 part way through the transfer ofthe image data from the electronic camera 1, then the electronic camera1 transits to cutting off processing after the packet that is currentlybeing transmitted has been transmitted, and the image transfer isinterrupted.

The setting method described above for the threshold values Vth1 andVth2 is one example thereof; it would also be acceptable to arrange toset these threshold values by some other method. It would be acceptableto arrange to change the threshold value for battery checking by anytype of method, provided that the threshold value Vth2 during thewireless LAN mode becomes smaller than the threshold value Vth1 duringoperational modes other than the wireless LAN mode.

8. Menu Transition

Menu transition figures for the electronic camera 1 in the wireless LANmode are shown in FIGS. 13 through 18. FIG. 13 is a menu transitionfigure for from when change over to the wireless LAN mode is performed,until any one of the transfer methods for the image data is selectedupon the wireless LAN menu screen. And FIGS. 14 through 18 are menutransition figures for after one of the transfer methods for the imagedata has been selected upon the wireless LAN menu screen. FIG. 14 is amenu transition figure for when “update transfer” has been selected;FIG. 15 is for “transfer by day of photography”; FIG. 16 is for “markedimage transfer”; FIG. 17 is for “selected image transfer”; and FIG. 18is for “photographic transfer”. By operating according to these menutransition figures, the electronic camera 1 performs the various kindsof procedures described above.

It should be understood that, in the menu transition figures of FIGS. 13through 18, there are shown the change over timing between the wirelessLAN sleep mode and the normal sleep mode first explained, and the ON/OFFtiming of the power save mode. The electronic camera 1 transits to thewireless LAN sleep mode in the menu item the frame of which is shown asa solid line, and transits to the normal sleep mode in the menu item theframe of which is shown as a broken line. Moreover, among the menu itemsshown with solid lines, the electronic camera 1 switches the power savemode to ON in the menu item above which “PS ON” is written, and switchesthe power save mode to OFF in the menu item above which “PS OFF” iswritten.

FIGS. 19.1, 19.2, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24.1 and 24.2 show examples of screensdisplayed upon the liquid crystal display 21 when the electronic camera1 operates according to the menu transition figures of FIGS. 13 through18. FIGS. 19.1 and 19.2 are screen examples corresponding to the menutransition figure of FIG. 13. FIG. 20 is a screen example correspondingto the menu transition figure of FIG. 14. FIG. 21 is a screen examplecorresponding to the menu transition figure of FIG. 15. FIG. 22 is ascreen example corresponding to the menu transition figure of FIG. 16.FIG. 23 is a screen example corresponding to the menu transition figureof FIG. 17. And FIGS. 24.1 and 24.2 are screen examples corresponding tothe menu transition figure of FIG. 18.

The numbers written above each screen in the figures described aboveshow their correspondence with the menu items on the menu transitionfigures of FIGS. 13 through 18. For example, the screen above which “1”is written in FIG. 19.1 shows an example of the menu item against whichthe same “1” is written in FIG. 13, in other words an example of thewireless LAN opening screen. It should be understood that, since thescreen examples shown in the various figures described above are onlyexamples, it would also be acceptable to provide a screen design that isdifferent from this.

Among the various screens shown in the various figures described above,in the screen shown as #6 in FIG. 19.1, the received electric fieldstrength of the wireless LAN radio waves that are detected by thewireless LAN module unit 24 is displayed as an antenna, in 5 stages. Ifit has not been possible to detect any wireless LAN radio waves, then“no-service area” is displayed. Moreover, during the transfer of theimage data, the transfer rate that is calculated as previously describedis displayed upon a screen, such as the screen shown as #22 in FIG. 20or the like.

According to the embodiment explained above, the following beneficialoperational effects are obtained.

(1) It is arranged to change over the power save mode to ON or OFFaccording to the operational state of the electronic camera 1. If thepower save mode is changed over to ON, the operation of the wireless LANmodule unit 24 is stopped when radio waves are not being transmitted,and if the power save mode is changed over to OFF, the wireless LANmodule unit 24 operates in its standby state when radio waves are notbeing transmitted. By doing this, it is possible to keep down uselessbattery consumption during the transmission and reception of radiowaves.

(2) It is arranged to change over the power save mode to ON when thewireless LAN menu screen is being displayed upon the liquid crystaldisplay 21, or when the transfer of the corresponding captured imagedata has ended in a “transfer by day of photography” or “selected imagetransfer”. By doing this, it is possible to change over the power savemode to ON when high throughput is not demanded.

(3) Furthermore, it is arranged to change over the power save mode toOFF when captured image data is being transferred, therefore, it ispossible to change over the power save mode to OFF when high throughputis being demanded in order not to decrease the throughput.

(4) When supply of electrical power from the battery 4 to the wirelessLAN module unit 24 is prohibited, if actuation input is not performed bythe user for a predetermined time period, then the electronic camera 1transits to the normal sleep mode, and the operation of the wireless LANmodule unit 24 and the liquid crystal display 21 stops. Furthermore,when supply of electrical power from the battery 4 to the wireless LANmodule unit 24 is permitted, if actuation input is not performed by theuser for a predetermined time period, then the electronic camera 1transits to the wireless LAN sleep mode, and the operation of the liquidcrystal display 21 stops while the wireless LAN module unit 24 continuesto be operated as before. By doing this, it is possible to implement asleep function that does not exert any influence upon the communicationby wireless LAN, thus keeping down useless battery consumption.

(5) After transition to the normal sleep mode, if actuation input is notperformed by the user for a predetermined time period, then the autopower OFF function operates and the power supply to the electroniccamera 1 is turned OFF so that its operation stops. By doing this, it ispossible further to keep down useless battery consumption.

(6) After the transition to the wireless LAN sleep mode during atransfer of captured image data and completion of the transfer, if noactuation input is performed by the user for a predetermined timeperiod, then the electronic camera 1 transits from the wireless LANsleep mode to the normal sleep mode. By doing this, it is possible tofurther keep down useless battery consumption. Moreover, if subsequentlythe auto power OFF function operates and the power supply to theelectronic camera 1 is cut OFF, then, when next the power supply to theelectronic camera 1 is turned ON, a message is displayed upon the liquidcrystal display 21 to indicate that the transfer of the captured imagedata has ended. By doing this, it is possible for the user to confirmthat the transfer has been completed.

(7) In the battery check for detecting the remaining capacity of thebattery 4, if the wireless LAN module unit 24 is not operating, then,when the voltage of the battery drops below the threshold value Vth1that is determined in advance, it is decided that the remaining capacityin the battery is insufficient. And if the wireless LAN module unit 24is operating, it is decided that the remaining capacity in the batteryis insufficient, when the voltage of the battery drops below thethreshold value Vth2 that is at least lower than the threshold valueVth1. By doing this, it is possible to avoid it being mistakenly andundesirably decided that the remaining battery capacity is insufficient,even though the battery voltage is decreased due to the transmission ofradio waves upon the wireless LAN.

(8) The mode dial is set to the position “wireless LAN” so that theoperational mode of the electronic camera 1 is changed over to thewireless LAN mode, the profile listing screen is displayed upon theliquid crystal display 21, and the supply of electrical power to thewireless LAN module unit 24 is prohibited until a destination forconnection of the electronic camera 1 is selected upon this listingscreen by the user. And the supply of electrical power to the wirelessLAN module unit 24 is permitted when a destination for connection of theelectronic camera 1 has been selected upon this profile listing screenby the user. By doing this, it is possible to keep down useless batteryconsumption.

(9) It is also possible not to receive actuation input by the user viathe replay button, when the operation mode of the electronic camera 1 ischanged over to the wireless LAN mode. By doing this it is possible tokeep down useless battery consumption by yet a further level, since itis possible to avoid unnecessary transmission and reception of radiowaves being performed by the wireless LAN module unit 24 during replaydisplay of a captured image, and the battery power being consumeduselessly thereby.

(10) Furthermore, if it is arranged to prohibit the driving of thephotographic lens when the operational mode of the electronic camera 1is changed over to the wireless LAN mode, then, during operation in thewireless LAN mode, it is possible to prevent useless battery consumptiondue to driving of the photographic lens unnecessarily, so that it ispossible further to keep down useless battery consumption.

The embodiment and various types of variant embodiment explained aboveare only examples, and the present invention is not limited by thesedetails, provided that the distinguishing features of the invention arenot lost. Other modes that are considered to be within the range of thetechnical concept of the present invention are also included within thescope of the present invention.

The contents of the disclosures of the following patent applications,upon which priority is claimed, are hereby incorporated by reference:

Japanese Patent Application 201,320 of 2005 (submitted on 11 Jul. 2005);

Japanese Patent Application 201,321 of 2005 (submitted on 11 Jul. 2005);

Japanese Patent Application 201,331 of 2005 (submitted on 11 Jul. 2005);

Japanese Patent Application 201,332 of 2005 (submitted on 11 Jul. 2005).

1. (canceled)
 2. An electronic camera that transfers captured image datato a computer or a printer to which the electronic camera is connectedvia wireless communication, comprising: a wireless communication unitthat performs wireless communication with the computer or the printer;and a power save mode changeover unit that changes over a power savemode to either an ON or an OFF state according to the operational stateof the electronic camera, wherein if the power save mode is changed overto ON the power save mode changeover unit makes the wirelesscommunication unit perform confirming operation at a predetermined cycleto confirm whether or not data to be received by the electronic camerais stored in an external communication device, and makes the wirelesscommunication unit stop its operation at a timing except when theconfirming operation is performed or data is transmitted or received bythe wireless communication, and if the power save mode is changed overto OFF, the power save mode changeover unit makes the wirelesscommunication unit operate in a standby state.
 3. An electronic cameraaccording to claim 2, further comprising an image display unit thatdisplays various types of image including a menu screen image, whereinthe power save mode changeover unit changes over the power save mode toON when the menu screen image is being displayed by the image displayunit.
 4. An electronic camera according to claim 2, wherein the powersave mode changeover unit changes over the power save mode to OFF whencaptured image data is transferred.
 5. An electronic camera according toclaim 4, wherein the power save mode changeover unit changes over thepower save mode to ON when transfer of captured image data hasterminated.
 6. An electronic camera that transfers captured image datato a computer or a printer to which the electronic camera is connectedvia wireless communication, comprising: an image display unit thatdisplays various types of image including a captured image; a wirelesscommunication unit that performs wireless communication with thecomputer or the printer; an electrical power supply control unit thatpermits or prohibits supply of electrical power from a battery thatsupplies electrical power to the image display unit and the wirelesscommunication unit, to the wireless communication unit; an actuationunit for receiving actuation input of an user; a first sleep controlunit that, if actuation input by the user upon the actuation unit is notperformed for at least a predetermined time period when supply ofelectrical power from the battery to the wireless communication unit isprohibited by the electrical power supply control unit, transits to afirst sleep mode in which operation of the wireless communication unitand the image display unit being stopped; and a second sleep controlunit that, if actuation input by the user upon the actuation unit is notperformed for at least a predetermined time period when supply ofelectrical power from the battery to the wireless communication unit ispermitted by the electrical power supply control unit, transits to asecond sleep mode in which operation of the image display unit beingstopped while continuing the operation of the wireless communicationunit.
 7. An electronic camera according to claim 6, further comprisingan auto power OFF control unit that turns the power supply to theelectronic camera entirely OFF and stops operation thereof if actuationinput by the user upon the actuation unit is not performed for at leasta predetermined time period after transition to the first sleep mode. 8.An electronic camera according to claim 6, further comprising a sleeptransition control unit that transits to the second sleep mode duringtransfer of captured image data, and, after this transfer of capturedimage data has terminated, transits from the second sleep mode to thefirst sleep mode if actuation input by the user upon the actuation unitis not performed for at least a predetermined time period.
 9. Anelectronic camera according to claim 7, further comprising a sleeptransition control unit that transits to the second sleep mode duringtransfer of captured image data, and, after this transfer of capturedimage data has terminated, transits from the second sleep mode to thefirst sleep mode if actuation input by the user upon the actuation unitis not performed for at least a predetermined time period.
 10. Anelectronic camera according to claim 9, wherein, in case that the powersupply to the electronic camera is turned OFF by the auto power OFFcontrol unit after transition has taken place from the second sleep modeto the first sleep mode by the sleep transition control unit, when thepower supply to the electronic camera is turned ON, it is displayed uponthe image display unit that the transfer of captured image dataterminated.
 11. An electronic camera that transfers captured image datato a computer or a printer to which the electronic camera is connectedvia wireless communication, comprising: a wireless communication unitthat performs wireless communication with the computer or the printer; abattery voltage detection unit that detects output voltage of a batterythat supplies electrical power to various units of the electronic cameraincluding the wireless communication unit, as a battery voltage; abattery remaining capacity determination unit that determines batteryremaining capacity based upon the battery voltage detected by thebattery voltage detection unit; and a notification unit that, ifdetermination is made by the battery remaining capacity determinationunit that battery remaining capacity is insufficient, notifies an userto that effect, wherein if the wireless communication unit is notoperating, the battery remaining capacity determination unit determinesthat battery remaining capacity has become insufficient when the batteryvoltage drops below a predetermined first threshold value that isdetermined in advance, and if the wireless communication unit isoperating, the battery remaining capacity determination unit determinesthat battery remaining capacity has become insufficient when the batteryvoltage drops below a predetermined second threshold value that isdetermined in advance, the second threshold value being lower than thefirst threshold value.
 12. An electronic camera that transfers capturedimage data to a computer or a printer to which the electronic camera isconnected via wireless communication, comprising: a wirelesscommunication unit that performs wireless communication with thecomputer or the printer; an actuation unit that changes over anoperational mode of the electronic camera according to actuation inputby an user; a display unit that displays a listing screen for invitingthe user to select a destination for connection of the electroniccamera; and an electrical power supply control unit that permits orprohibits supply of electrical power to the wireless communication unit,wherein: the operational modes that are changed over by the actuationunit include a wireless LAN mode for connecting the electronic camera tothe computer or to the printer via the wireless communication; thedisplay unit displays the listing screen when the operational mode ofthe electronic camera is changed over to the wireless LAN mode by theactuation unit; and the electrical power supply control unit prohibitselectrical power supply to the wireless communication unit until thelisting screen has been displayed upon the display unit and adestination for connection of the electronic camera has been selected bythe user upon the listing screen, and the electrical power supplycontrol unit permits electrical power supply to the wirelesscommunication unit when a destination for connection of the electroniccamera has been selected by the user upon the listing screen.
 13. Anelectronic camera according to claim 12, further comprising a replayrequest unit that receives actuation input from the user in order todisplay a captured image upon the display unit, and wherein, when theoperational mode of the electronic camera is changed over to thewireless LAN mode by the actuation unit, actuation input by the userupon the replay request unit is not accepted.
 14. An electronic cameraaccording to claim 12, further comprising a drive mechanism for drivinga photographic lens, and wherein, when the operational mode of theelectronic camera is changed over to the wireless LAN mode by theactuation unit, the driving of the photographic lens by the drivemechanism is prohibited.